Coronation Street shines a light on conversion practices

Coronation Street is currently featuring a hard-hitting storyline exploring the impact of conversion practices. The soap, watched by millions, will expose the legacy historic conversion practices of this kind can have, and the ongoing reality of attempts to “convert” LGBTQ+ people. We worked alongside the Coronation Street writers - and other LGBTQ+ charities - to advise on this vital storyline and make sure that it represents the experiences of people in real life.
The main storyline focuses on the character Theo and his sexuality. His relationship with fellow character Todd is challenged by the arrival of Noah, a man who attempts to push Theo to receive a form of “conversion practices.”
The plot will touch on the religious, legal, and emotional trauma of conversion practices. Although this is a fictional story, what Theo went through is all too common off screen. Conversion practices remain legal in the UK, and they impact real people every day.
We previously published data on those who experience conversion practices and shared hard-hitting stories of survivors of conversion practices.
In one example, Syd, a survivor, said:
"Soon after sharing that I thought I was gay, the Church began trying to ‘convert’ me. I was told that the devil was in me, trying to steal my soul. They told me that I wasn’t gay and that I just had evil spirits in me. They told me that I would burn in hell fire if I acted on my attraction to women. I really believed that I was demonic and that I was being taken to hell, it was terrifying.
"I still feel some shame and guilt because of what has been said to me. I have spent a lot of time wishing I was straight and wondering if I will go to hell. On top of that, I now find it hard to believe in anything, my faith has been completely robbed of me, and I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to access it again."
"But there is light. I have a girlfriend now who makes me incredibly happy, and I love being myself. The shame still creeps in sometimes, but I finally know the truth: there was never anything wrong with me."
We're campaigning for a fully inclusive ban
The UK Government has committed to publishing a draft Bill to ban conversion practices. We're campaigning to ensure the Bill is published as soon as possible and the ban is fully inclusive, protects all LGBTQ+ people, and has no loopholes that would allow abuse to continue.
Every day without a ban puts LGBTQ+ people at risk of abuse and harm. Over the last 12 months, we’ve heard time and time again that a draft Bill is going to be delivered, and we’ll keep holding the Government to account until that promise is delivered.